Revelation 22:18-19

"I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book." Revelation 22:18-19

This passage is frequently ripped from its context and cited with regard to the canon of Scripture. People will say things like, "Notice the words, 'the book of this prophecy'? It's equating the canon and prophecy. If there are true prophets today, then the canon of Scripture isn't complete." Those statements are completely false. They assume egregiously and erroneously  that "the book" is referring to the entire Bible. 

John recorded the Revelation. He then sent it to the churches. It was his letter all by itself. While by application the notion of this passage can certainly be applied to the whole of Scripture—Do not add to it, Do not remove from it; the correct contextual interpretation thereof is that it is speaking concerning the entire prophecy of the book of Revelation. The Greek words translated "this" in both verses are demonstrative pronouns. One is feminine, referring to the prophecy, and the other is masculine, referring to the book. When John sent this letter, the other 65 books were not with it. "This" refers to his letter and its contents, the book of Revelation. Not to the collective Scriptures. This passage is written in regard to the entire book of Revelation, not to the entire canon of Scripture.

Biblical Qualifications For A Pastor

by Unknown

The Bible specifically speaks about the qualifications for those who will lead a congregation of people. These qualifications have been the same for almost 2,000 years. Jesus is the perfect fulfillment of these qualifications as the “senior pastor” of the Church.

ABOVE REPROACH

(Titus 1:6, 7; 1 Tim. 3:2)

This is the overarching, summarizing characteristic. You will find similar (but not identical) lists in First Timothy and Titus. Living a life above reproach is the first requirement in both lists and Titus repeats it. The other items on the list explain what “above reproach” means. If we peruse the two lists, as well as First Peter, we find 17 qualifications of an elder who is above reproach.

1. A pastor must be devoted to his wife; one-woman man (Titus 1:6; 1 Tim. 3:2). The pastor’s marriage illustrates Christ’s love for His church—His bride (Eph. 5:22 ff.). A Pastor must love his wife exclusively with his mind, will and emotions and not just his body.
2. A pastor’s children must be in submission, though not perfect (Titus 1:6; 1 Tim. 3:4-5). If a man does not know how to manage his own family, he will not know how to take care of God’s church. The first flock for a pastor is his own family as Pastor Dad. A Pastor’s qualification for the church starts in his home management as he leads them up in the discipline and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4).
3. A pastor is a faithful steward (Titus 1:7). Here the term used is overseer (Greek episkopos). It is not another office, but a functional title of the elder. It is what he does. He is a steward, a manager of God’s resources and Jesus’ flock. He takes responsibility, but not ownership.
4. A pastor must be humble — not arrogant (Titus 1:7). A pastor must constantly demonstrate the gospel by admitting when he is wrong and assuming responsibility and restoring relationships.
5. A pastor must be gentle — not quick-tempered (Titus 1:7; 1 Tim. 3:3). No man will be of any use in the kingdom that is quick-tempered. The difference between how Jesus demonstrated anger is that He was angry at the abuse of others in the name of religion and the dishonoring of God. We get angry at how it affects us.
6. A pastor must be sober — not a drunkard (Titus 1:7; 1 Tim. 3:3). This is not just overindulgence in alcohol but is idiomatic for any behavior that fuels addictive responses.
7. A pastor must be peaceful — not violent (Titus 1:7; 1 Tim. 3:3). A pastor is prone to inflict violence through his words. He is to be a peacemaker.
8. A pastor must have financial integrity — not greedy for gain (Titus 1:7; 1 Tim. 3:3; 1 Peter 5:3). A pastor is to be upright in his financial dealings and not accused of pursuing money over the kingdom of God.
9. A pastor must be hospitable (Titus 1:8; 1 Tim. 3:2). A pastor’s home is to be open for others to enjoy. A pastor’s home is not a heaven on earth, but rather a place of ministry.
10. A pastor must be a lover of good (Titus 1:8). A pastor genuinely loves what is good. He does not just think he should love it.
11. A pastor must be self-controlled (Titus 1:8; 1 Tim. 3:2). Self-control is a characterization of every area of a pastor’s life: diet, time, mouth, exercise, relationships, sex, and money.
12. A pastor must be upright (Titus 1:8). He has integrity in his relationships and in how he treats others.
13. A pastor must be holy (Titus 1:8). His life is devoted wholeheartedly to Jesus externally and internally.
14. A pastor must be able to teach (Titus 1:9; 1 Tim. 3:2). All of the other qualifications are character qualities. This is the only ability-based requirement. He is to be able to teach sound doctrine, not just be able to communicate in an excellent manner. His teaching can be to one or two, to twenty, to a hundred or to a thousand. Most of the churches in Crete were house churches. The elders were to defend the faith once delivered to the saints against the numerous false teachers that arose.
15. A pastor must be spiritually mature (1 Tim. 3:6). Positions of authority without spiritual maturity lead to the trap of pride. When pride grows in a man, sin abounds.
16. A pastor must be respectable (1 Tim. 3:7). That does not mean that everyone must like him or even appreciate him. It means that there is no credible witness to an ongoing sinful behavior.
17. A pastor must be an example to the flock (1 Peter 5:3). Elders are examples of biblical expressions sexually, time management, marriage, parenting, worship, relationships and any other way. A pastor should be someone your sons could pattern their life after and the kind of man your daughter should marry.

CONCLUSION

What would you do if an elder violates one of these requirements? 1 Timothy 5:19-20 warns us not to accuse an elder flippantly. Matthew 18:15-18 gives us the steps: 1) Go to the elder alone, 2) If still unsatisfied, go with another person, 3) If still unsatisfied, let the greater eldership know. If accusations are verified and the elder remains unrepentant, rebuking that elder before all is the next biblical step.

How To Discern False Teachers

How can you recognize a false teacher? The simple answer is that, "You will know them by their fruits" (Matt. 7:16, 20). But that answer assumes that you have any amount of discernment about yourself to understand right from wrong and recognize truth from error. Nowadays, that assumption is just reaching. Long-time professing Christians are starting to be unable to tell right from wrong. Discernment is practically non-existent because the average church-goer does not spend any amount of time in God's Word. If you are not saturated with the truth, thinking on the truth, and comparing all things against the truth, how are you to recognize when subtle false doctrines creep in?

 

This does not merely apply to authors, speakers, and/or Bible teachers, but also to the music artists you listen to. You should always evaluate those you associate yourself with. Do not merely examine what they say, but examine what they do. Anyone can say they are a Christian, but is it exhibited in their everyday life? Research their teachings and habits in three main areas: their doctrine and hermeneutics; their ministry partnerships and associations; and their lifestyle or behaviour. Are they biblically sound? Do they endorse, partner with, or associate with false teachers? How do they conduct themselves in their everyday life?

You should also consider the fact of whether any problems in these three areas are current, ongoing, and unrepentant, or if there were issues of sin in these areas in the past that have since been repented of and corrected. Remember, even the godliest person is still a human being who sins, as well as a Christian who learns God's Word and grows to maturity over the span of their lifetime. The issue is not whether a person has sinned in these areas—something we are all guilty of from time to time, but whether the person knowingly persists in sin, or is teachable, repents, and avoids sin when it is pointed out to them.

You can test to see whether a person is a false teacher by using the following three criteria:

1. They cannot currently and unrepentantly be living in any type of sin (e.g., cohabiting with his/her girlfriend/boyfriend or living as a homosexual).
2. They cannot currently and unrepentantly be partnering with or frequently appearing with false teachers in violation of 2 Corinthians 6:14.
3. They cannot currently and unrepentantly be teaching false doctrine.

(I modified and put into my own words a couple things Michelle Lesley had to say to women in regard to how she determines whether to recommend a female Bible teacher, speaker, or author, because I agree with what she said and it can be applied all around.)

A Warning For Christian Women

Ladies,

Be careful what womens' books you are reading and what womens' ministries you are following. Many of these women are either directly influenced by the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) cult movement or are influenced by women who are directly influenced by the NAR cult movement. If you do not believe me, there is a dear Christian woman named Michelle Lesley who has addressed many of these concerns in a couple of her blog entries: Do You Recommend These Teachers/Authors? Part 1 and Do You Recommend These Teachers/Authors? Part 2. Regarding female authors and Bible teachers, she writes:

Generally speaking, in order for me to recommend a teacher, speaker, or author, she has to meet three criteria:

1. She cannot currently and unrepentantly preach to or teach men in violation of 1 Timothy 2:12, nor can she currently and unrepentantly be living in any other sin (for example, cohabiting with her boyfriend or living as a homosexual).
2. She cannot currently and unrepentantly be partnering with or frequently appearing with false teachers in violation of 2 Corinthians 6:14ff.
3. She cannot currently and unrepentantly be teaching false doctrine.

Avoid associating yourself with the womens' ministry She Reads Truth. Despite the claim on their website, these women all have agendas that have to do with so-called "social injustice." Another dear Christian woman named Elizabeth Prata wrote a couple blog entries on this group of women and the dangers of being associated with them:

• She Reads Truth; IF:Gathering; and Women Bible Teachers, Part 1
• She Reads Truth; IF:Gathering; and Women Bible Teachers, Part 2

Even popular Christian musicians are falling in line with the world and its corruption. Nichole Nordeman, a Christian singer whom I used to enjoy listening to, divorced her husband a couple years ago (though she did not give any details as to why they were divorcing), and has since been very vocal with her support of Jen Hatmaker's embrace of homosexuality in the church. It makes me question whether she is a Christian at all, because she sure does not know the God of the Bible or His Word, because homosexuality is condemned by God in His Word.

Christian women, especially stay-at-home moms, are most susceptible to being influenced by false messages in Christian music because, if they listen to "Christian" radio at home, they are the ones being targeted with particular songs and particular sales. If the radio station plays songs by Bethel Church, Elevation Church, Gateway Church, Hillsong, Jesus Culture, Planetshakers, etc., they are subtly being introduced to false doctrine. Not just women, but men included, need to be careful what books they are reading, what music they are listening to, and what ministries they are following. There are more and more of these being produced in order to seduce God's children away from the truth. We need to be on our guard. We need to be in the Word and we need to know the Word.

Here is just a small list of women to watch out for and avoid:

• Jennifer Kennedy Dean
• Lisa Harper
• Rebekah Lyons
• Raechel Myers
• Shauna Niequist
• Jennifer Rothschild
• Susie Shellenberger
• Sheila Walsh
• Amanda Bible Williams
• Jennie Allen
• Lisa Bevere
• Rachel Held Evans
• Heather Lindsey
• Anne Graham Lotz
• Kelly Minter
• Jen Hatmaker
• Lysa TerKeurst
• Beth Moore
• Christine Caine
• Victoria Osteen
• Joyce Meyer
• Priscilla Shirer
• Ann Voskamp
• Bobbie Houston
• Margaret Feinberg
• Bianca Olthoff
• Sarah Jakes Robers
• Charlotte Gambil
• Paula White
• Sarah Young
• Nancy Leigh DeMoss Wolgemuth (Not considered a false teacher, but should approach her stuff with caution.)
• Kay Arthur  (Not considered a false teacher, but should approach her stuff with caution.)

A Manifesto of Christian Discernment

by Steven Kozar

We will maintain a healthy skepticism towards all the big-name leaders in the church. No matter how famous a Christian celebrity might be, we refuse to be gullible just because someone has become a "brand name."

We will check everything any pastor/teacher says against God's Word, and when it comes to the most powerful, multimillionaire "Super Pastors," we will assume the worst until convinced otherwise.

"PASTOR" DAVID HUGHES

We refuse to be impressed or motivated by storytelling, drama and entertainment. God and His written Word is the only acceptable focus of a worship service--not the manipulations of men. We will not tolerate idiotic stunts in order to "bring the unsaved to church." We will not tolerate false humility and claims of direct revelation from any pastor/teacher. Any pastor/teacher that claims to hear "something new" directly from God will be immediately disqualified. No second chances.

We don't need you.  We understand that you need a constant influx of new and gullible listeners, but we refuse to participate.

Continue reading...

Itching Ears

When asked why Hillsong is so successful, Brian Houston said, "We are scratching people where they are itching." Does that not sound like something straight out of Scripture? "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts they shall heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;" (2 Tim. 4:3). The reason all these mega churches and campus churches are so "successful" is because they are telling people what they want to hear rather than what they need to hear. They are attempting to make these people feel better about themselves just so that they can go to Hell on a greased pole. They make these people twice the inhabitants of Hell than they themselves are. They are wolves in sheep's clothing and they are leading millions astray. But we should not be surprised. God's Word told us this would happen:

"But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth." 1 Timothy 4:1-3

"But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these." 2 Timothy 3:1-5

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths." 2 Timothy 4:3-4

"Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation."" 2 Peter 3:3-4

"Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us." 1 John 2:18-19

"But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they were saying to you, "In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts." These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit." Jude 1:17-19

These "churches" are merely Synagogues of Satan. How is it that churches that faithfully preach God's Word remain significantly small, while these churches have hundreds of thousands of people in attendance every Sunday? That alone should set off a red flag. When three quarters of your year's Sundays are spent giving messages on "tithing," there is something wrong. When your "message" is about how rich you are (while your congregation is poor and struggling), there is something wrong. When you are claiming to have a word from the Lord and you are doing a whole bunch of wacky nonsense, there is something wrong. Where is God's Word in any of this? Where is the faithful expository preaching that adheres to context? If a Christian is going to walk into a mega church or a campus church, make sure you know your Bible well! Make sure you have discernment from the Holy Spirit! Pay attention to everything that is said and/or done and hold it in comparison to the Bible. If it does not match up, leave that church immediately!

Gender Identity

Do you struggle with gender identity?

I have the solution!

It is so simple that you will think to yourself, "How could I have been so dumb not to have seen it before?"

Are you ready for it?

Okay, here it is...

Look in your pants!

"The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately

wicked; Who can understand it?" Jeremiah 17:9

How in the world does someone "struggle" with their gender identity? What is to struggle with? If you are confused as to your gender identity, look in your pants! It is not hard to figure out. The boy from the movie Kindergarten Cop said it best: "Boys have a penis. Girls have a vagina." It cannot get any simpler than that.

There are some idiots out there (yes, "idiots" is the proper word) who claim that biological gender is merely "a construct." What?!? Really? Biological gender is "an idea" or "a theory"? What rock did these fools crawl out from under? That is as stupid as the philosophy that attempts to argue that we are not really here; we just think we are.

People who struggle with gender identity suffer from a mental disorder, the same as every other person who struggles with sexual identity. Transgenderism is just a variant form of homosexuality. Pederasty, bisexuality, pansexuality, polysexuality, omnisexuality, ambisexuality, transsexuality; they are all variant forms of homosexuality.

Just because you are mentally confused and "feel" that you are a balloon trapped in a man's/woman's body does not make you a balloon. If you are a Caucasian, you can identify yourself as a seven-foot tall African all you want, but that does not make it true. There used to be a simpler time when people who insisted on living in "realities" that were not real were committed and institutionalized for their mental disorders. Now, society caters to their every fantastical whim.

Jesus made it quite clear as to what genders there are: "Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE" (Matt. 19:4). Jesus also made it very clear as to God's law regarding marriage: "'FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH'? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate" (Matthew 19:5-6). Anything outside of this is not a marriage! There is no wiggle room here. Jesus upheld heterosexuality as the only acceptable form of appropriate sexuality. You are the biological gender you were born as. Again, to quote the boy from the movie Kindergarten Cop, "Boys have a penis. Girls have a vagina."

A true Christian speaks the truth! Any professing "Christian" who accepts, approves, and condones of homosexuality, gay "marriage," or transgenderism is NOT a Christian, NOR are they loving in the least. A Christian speaks the truth, no matter how much it might hurt a person to hear. Genuine Christians are to be truth tellers. They should use the pronouns "her" and "she" when referring to those God made female, and they should use the pronouns "him" and "he" when referring to those God made male. Anything else is to bear false witness against our Creator and those who are trying to mutilate their flesh and be something that they are not and will never be.

Any person who professes to be a Christian and tosses their support in with homosexuality, gay "marriage," and transgenderism: (1) is a liar; (2) is not your friend; and (3) does not love you. You should not trust these individuals and you should avoid them. They are wolves in sheep's clothing. A person who loves you and is your friend will tell you what you need to hear; not what you want to hear.

"Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful

are the kisses of an enemy." Proverbs 27:6

SOZO: The Seeking of A False Jesus

by Kim Olsen

Learning about SOZO occurred when I was working with a woman who was dealing with oppression and darkness. Many are deceived when they enter into a spiritual realm that they have no business delving into.

Today we easily find  mysticism, false teaching, divination, abuse of spiritual gifts, and love of experience trumping the Word of God. When you fall into this area the problem is that the spirit world will deliver. Those seeking to be in the “presence of Jesus” will indeed find themselves in the company of a entity but it will not be  Jesus of the Bible. Remember that “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians 11:14.

Satan is the prince of darkness and well-meaning Christians will fall into the trap and deceitful workmen will also masquerade as “apostles of Christ.”  2 Corinthians 11:13

There are so many who love the Lord and want to serve Him with all their hearts but the way we do this is laid out in the Epistles to the church in the New Testament. We also find many warnings of false teachers in the scriptures.

When we read about Jesus as our shepherd and recognize ourselves as the flock, it must be remembered that sheep are not very smart. They need to be led. They often cannot discern the enemy among who are clothed in sheepskin but inwardly are wolves. These wolves will be found IN the church, they are among God’s people.

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Please Don't Get Soaked

by Amy Spreeman

Ladies, there is a prayer practice that is gaining momentum among Christians, and we need to talk about it at the Table.  It’s called the Soaking Prayer, and while it sounds like something Christians can practice safely, it is anything but safe. In fact, the Soaking Prayer practice contains spiritual elements that are not only not found in Scripture, but God’s Word warns us to avoid doing these things.

What is it?

The “Soaking Prayer” is one of many Contemplative prayer practices that isn’t found in the Bible. It is designed to empty your mind, and was developed by the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship, now known as Catch the Fire Toronto. This group also gave rise to the “Toronto Blessing” and many aberrant practices such as holy laughter, making animal sounds, and being drunk or paralyzed in the Spirit.

Continue reading...

A Scatter-brained God

Imagine you have two children, a boy and a girl. The boy does something wrong and so you ground him for four (4) weeks. After the third week is finished, forget about your son and do something with your daughter for the next six (6) months. Then turn your attention back to your son for a "fourth" week. Any child will intelligently and correctly recognize that they were not grounded for a mere four (4) weeks, but for seven (7) months!

Sadly, this is how Dispensationalists view God. Forgetful and scatter-brained.

What kind of God do the Scriptures portray?

When it was prophesied that Israel would be slaves in Egypt for 400 years, how long were they slaves?

400 years.

When it was prophesied that Israel would wander the desert for 40 years, how long did they wander the desert?

40 years.

When it was prophesied that Israel would be captive to Babylon for 70 years, how long were they captive?

70 years.

So how is it that Dispensationlists take a prophecy of 490 years to deal with Israel and somehow get a 2,000-year "parenthetical gap"? God cannot follow His own timeline? A "gap" of 2,000 years is a time period of 2,490 years. How is it that God prophesied all these time spans in the past and they were exactly as He prophesied, but when He prophesies 490 years there is somehow a magical "gap" of 2,000 plus years? Anyone else having an intellectual problem assimilating that nonsense?

Keil & Delitzsch, the greatest of the Hebrew scholars, have said in their Commentary On the Old Testament, "The sing. is simply explained by this, that שׁבוּעַ שׁבְעִים is conceived of as the absolute idea, and then is taken up by the passive verb impersonal, to mark that the seventy sevens are to be viewed as a whole, as a continued period of seventy seven times following each other." The 490 years are done. They are finished. They are history. It has been nearly 2,000 years since their completion.

There is no time left for dealing with national Israel because national Israel is nothing. God's people are Christians. All who will enter into Heaven will be Christians. There is one people, one body, one bride, one church, one true Israel—spiritual Israel, made up of every tribe, tongue, people, and nation. Paul made that clear with Romans 11:17-24 and Ephesians 2:11-22, and Peter made that clear with 1 Peter 2:9-10.

If your god is scatter-brained and cannot follow his own predicted timeline, then you might want to look for a different god. One who can add. Might I suggest the God of the Bible?

Will Jesus Find Faith At His Return?

"[W]hen the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:8

This verse sounds to me as if it is prophetic. Look around you. Look across the world today and how at every turn the masses are deceived. Look at the majority of mega churches and the influence they are having over other churches, and Christians in general, and the deception they are sowing with their false teachings and false doctrines. People are being deceived at alarming rates these days. The deception is unprecedented. I believe that this is evidence that Satan has already been loosed again to deceive the nations. I also believe this is evidence of the great falling away.

When Jesus returns, what kind of faith is He going to find? I believe that He will find few faithful servants, just as His words describing those who will enter Heaven: "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matt. 7:13-14). 80% of Americans might identify themselves as "Christian," but that is a complete contradiction to the 25% Jesus identified in His parable of the sower, and the few He said would find life.

Based on both verses above, it would behoove the genuine follower of Christ Jesus, the true believer, the legitimate Christian, to guard him/herself and his/her doctrine closely and to strive to make sure they are in the faith and on the right path. Strive to keep the faith. Strive to remain faithful. Even if it should come to be known that you are the only faithful one left on the Earth at Jesus' second coming, strive to remain so in His strength. Never take your eyes off of Him. He is your rock. He is your refuge.

"It’s never-ending. The apostasy, the lack of discernment, the gullibility. How can anyone who proclaims the name of Jesus Christ not recognize the dismal state of the professing church? Words cannot even begin to describe how far away the church is from Christ in these days. The attractions, the concerts, the conferences. People joining hands with those teaching for shameful gain things they ought not to teach. This is not revival, but the falling away in it’s most deceptive and extreme form—a form of godliness that denies its power." —Jeff Maples

The church these days lacks wisdom, understanding, and discernment. If they would just ask the Lord for it, He would give it to them abundantly. But they would rather play in a mud puddle while God has provided a sparkling ocean for them. Their ignorance truly is bliss. The amount of professing "Christians" out there without a shred of discernment is just staggering. Discernment is not just for preachers, teachers, and theologians. All Christians are to have and use discernment. All Christians are to be like the Bereans. The Berean character is two-fold: they examine the Scriptures to see if what they are being told is true (Acts 17:11); and they examine the life of the one speaking to see if it lines up with their words (1 John 4:1; Rev. 2:2). Scripture has much to say about this (Acts 20:30; 1 Thess. 5:21; 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Pet. 2:1). Even a false teacher can speak the truth of Scripture while their life does not match up with their words or the words of Scripture.

So many churches have let in the heretical "praise and worship" music by artists such as Kari Jobe, whose songs romanticize an erotic emotional eros love toward God, rather than sound doctrine of the parental, sacrificial, unconditional agape love of God. God is not your boyfriend/girlfriend and you should not sing about Him as such. He is the sovereign creator of the universe whom you should honour and revere, bowing before Him in all humility.

The "love" promoted by the world and many "Christian" sects today is precisely that erotic, emotional, romanticized "love," rather than true, genuine, sacrificial, unconditional love, which is what God the Father shows toward His children and the love Christ has for us and the love Christians are commanded to show each other (especially husbands to their wives). Agape love is a love poured out regardless of whether the person has earned it or deserves it. When the love you speak in regard to Jesus is an emotional, "feeling," erotic love, then you worship a false Jesus. Your emotions and feelings are to be governed by and subjected to wisdom, understanding, and discernment. They are to be governed by and subjected to truth. They are to be governed by and subjected to Scripture. Your emotions and "feelings" and "experiences" and opinions are to be subject to Scripture; Scripture is never subject to your emotions and "feelings" and "experiences" and opinions.

Songs by these heretical "praise and worship" artists are leading a great many Christians astray. The books of false teachers such as Rob Bell are also leading a great many Christians astray. Because of the trash they read, Christian musicians Don and Wendy Francisco have rejected the doctrine of Hell, of which Jesus spoke twice as much about than He did Heaven, and have also rejected the infallibility and inerrancy of Scripture. Don has been quoted as saying that those who believe in the infallibility and inerrancy of Scripture are "dead" and need to stop drinking the Kool-Aid. The fact is, Don has become undiscerning in the material he consumes. He likely does not weigh it against Scripture, but instead weighs Scripture against the heretical material he reads. The result of this material has been witnessed in the character and attitude of his wife, Wendy, who speaks with a foul mouth on her social media accounts, trying to justify the nonsense she now believes. This is what happens when you take your eyes of Jesus and are not daily in the Word so that it can saturate your soul. If you do not use the truth, you will eventually lose the truth.

Seeing this kind of deception in even long-standing doctrinally-firm Christians makes me think that perhaps Jesus' words in the above verse are prophetic, rather than an actual question. Considering the great falling away from the faith that we seem to be seeing, I think it is a safe bet. We as Christians need to guard ourselves daily. We need to be in the Word daily, letting it wash over us and fill us with its truth. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus alone and quit diverting them to the various bandwagon crusades that keep popping up. Satan's ploys are to distract us and separate us from the Saviour. We need to be ever vigilant and make sure Jesus is elevated in our hearts and minds. Let the Word of God be our distraction. Be firm in your faith and let Jesus be your strong tower. Pray for wisdom, understanding, and discernment. Let the Word of God guide you. Strive to be among the few who will be faithful at the return of our Lord and Saviour.

I Was Born This Way

In one sense, no, practitioners of homosexuality were not born that way. In another sense, yes, practitioners of homosexuality were born that way. It depends on how you are looking at it. The behaviour—the practice of homosexuality—is entirely the product of your choice, and so, no, you were not born that way. The inclination or desire is a product of original sin and denotes a depraved inherited nature (Romans 1), and so, yes, you were born that way. All inclinations toward sin are the product of original sin and are inherited. But that cannot be used as an excuse for why you do the things that you do.

Your behaviour, or the behaviour of any sinner committing any sin, may be natural in your unconverted nature, but it is not natural in the way that God created us and the manner in which He intended all human beings to behave. That is why you need a new nature, which is only found by being born again by the Holy Spirit. Sin is ingrained into our flesh. There is no such thing as "free will" because our will is slave to sin and the devil (Romans 6). All we can do is make decisions, but our will is tainted by sin. When pedophiles start using the same argumentation that homosexuals have used—that they are born that way, in one sense it is true while in another sense it is false.

Just as lying rules the liar and thieving rules the thief, so too does homosexuality rule the homosexual. What makes a person homosexual? The committing of the act of homosexuality. You only need to tell one lie in order to be a liar. You only need to steal one object in order to be a thief. You only need to rape one person in order to be a rapist. You only need to kill one person in order to be a murder. Likewise, you only need to commit one act of homosexuality to be a homosexual. Homosexuality is not a sin you should glorify and revel in. Would you glorify and revel in being an adulterer and committing adultery? Sin is sin. One sin is not greater than another sin. All sin is equal. All sin leads to eternal punishment in Hell.

The fact still remains that the greatest truth regarding homosexuality is that these people suffer from strong and/or frequent thoughts and/or temptations toward homosexuality. Rather than fight against them, they have chosen to give in to them and embrace them. They believe that because they experience these strong and/or frequent thoughts and/or temptations toward homosexuality, that it must mean they were born this way and that that is who they are. So the person who struggles with strong and/or frequent thoughts and/or temptations of infidelity, faithlessness, and adultery was born as such and they should just embrace it and celebrate it? Maybe they should start having Adultery Pride Parades.

If we give occasion to one sin, providing acceptance and open practice thereof, we might as well give occasion to all sins. Truth be told, our inclination toward our favourite sin is inherited from original sin, which means that we were all born sinners. However, our behaviour in the committal of that sin is derived directly from our choice. That is why we stand condemned two-fold before a thrice holy God. We stand condemned in original sin, which we have inherited, by which we can say we were born with it. But we also stand condemned in our decision to commit those sins, which we were not born with but freely committed of our own volition. We are guilty of inherited sin (being born that way) and we are guilty of personal sin (choosing to commit it). Your will is slave to sin, but you can be set free from sin through Christ Jesus. He came to save His people from their sin. You can be a "such were some of you" (1 Cor. 6:11) person by repenting of your sin, no longer committing it, and trusting your salvation and your life in the hands of Christ Jesus.

As long as you embrace your favourite sin and habitually practice it, you stand no chance of inheriting eternal life. You will spend an eternity in Hell separated from God and His goodness. Do not be deceived. Today is the day of salvation. Do not neglect it.

"Christian" Music You Should Avoid

by Unknown

Are Christian worship singers exempt from practicing discernment and not participating with false teachers? Biblical Christians would be in an uproar if their pastor invited teachers like Joyce Meyer and Mike Bickle to speak to their congregation. So why is it okay for worship singers to lead worship for Joyce Meyer and Mike Bickle?

Below are five reasons why worship bands and singers should not participate with false teachers. This is a call for discernment for those who lead worship at church and also sing songs from bands who promote a different Jesus.

1. Worshiping with false teachers is not worshiping God in truth.
"But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24

The Father seeks worshipers who worship Him in truth. When a worship singer worships to God with those who claim to be Christian yet their teachings are contrary to Scripture, this is not worshiping God in truth.

Some of Joyce Meyer's false teachings are:

• Jesus stopped being the Son of God
• Jesus was born again
• Jesus paid for our sins in hell
• Jesus went to hell and was tormented
• You cannot be saved if you don't believe Jesus went to hell
• We are called little gods
• Joyce Meyer said she is not a sinner

You can read more about her false teachings here. We cannot separate theology from worship because when we worship God we are thinking about who He is as He has revealed Himself in Scripture.
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2. They are participating in their evil deeds.
"Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds." 2 John 1:9-11

There are warnings and commands in Scripture to avoid those who teach what is contrary to Biblical doctrine.

"I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them." Romans 16:17

Worship leaders such as Kari Jobe, Matt Redman and Phil Wickham should not lead worship for Joyce Meyer. This goes against the Biblical teaching to stay away from her because she is a false teacher. Staying away or refusing to lead worship at an event such as IHOP's One Thing conference would not be "mean" or randomly "judgmental." Instead this would be a righteous judgment made (John 7:24) based on what the Bible says on how to handle false teachers. However, by joining with Mike Bickle and Joyce Meyer these Christian musicians are participating in their evil deeds.

Worship singers, bands and teams are not exempt from discernment. These verses are commandments to all Christians, not just the "theologians, polemicists and apologists" in your local church.

3. It validates their false teachings.
When a Christian musician leads worship at a false teacher's church or conference this validates the false teacher as a true teacher of God's Word. This will lead others astray.

"But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep." 2 Peter 2:1-3

Peter and Jesus spoke how false teachers will secretly bring into the church heresies that are destructive. Jesus referred to these teaches as wolves in sheep's clothing (Matt 7:15).

When a Biblical worship singer worships for a false teacher, this gives approval to the false teacher and makes it seem as if the false teacher is a part of evangelical Christianity when in reality they are a wolf.

Titus 1:9 says to refute those who contradict sound doctrine, not team up with them.

"Holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict." Titus 1:9

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 is clear that false apostles and deceitful workers will disguise themselves as apostles of Christ and servants of righteousness. It is already difficult enough to discern a false teacher because they "disguise themselves," how much harder is it when Evangelical worship leaders team up with them?

4. The worship leader is questioned and discredited.
It reflects negatively upon a worship leader when he or she worships for a false teacher. The worship leader is questioned for his lack of discernment, knowledge of the Bible and approval of these teachers.

It also implies that worship leaders are exempt from the same standards we would apply to other ministries. Christians should be on guard and aware of false teaching not blurring the lines by linking arms with false teachers.

"Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them." Acts 20:28-30

​5. It distorts the Gospel.
"Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them." Acts 20:30

False teachers do not give a clear gospel presentation representing the full counsel of God (sin, rebellion against God, punishment for sin, Jesus' death, burial and resurrection, God's grace and mercy, redemption, forgiveness and living a holy life for Him).

Therefore, when a professing true Christian teams up with a false teacher is distorted because it will not be communicated clearly to the masses.

Paul was concerned for God's sheep that they would be lead astray from the simple Gospel.

"But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully." 2 Corinthians 11:3-4

"But I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed." Galatians 1:6-9

Objections
Some will object to the above by stating that both the worship leader and false teacher believe in Jesus and therefore it doesn't matter. Others will object by saying that when it comes to worship music discernment doesn't apply.

Both of these attitudes are unscriptural. The New Testament writers were very concerned for God's sheep over being lead astray by myths, false gospels, false Christs, false spirits, false teachers and apostles, they were always strongly encouraging the church to stay close to Jesus Christ, the message they first received, to listen carefully lest they drift away because servants of Satan would disguise themselves as servants of Christ in order to draw them away from the truth. And these false teachers and prophets would be among them.

(Hebrews 2:1, Acts 20:30, 1 Timothy 4, 2 Corinthians 11:3-4,13-15, 2 Peter 2, Matthew 24, Galatians 1, 2:4, Jude 1:3-4, Matthew 7:15, 2 Timothy 2:12)

We can classify worship leaders as:

1. The worship team at your local church
2. Worship team that claims to be a movement such as Jesus Culture.
3. Christian worship artists such as Kari Jobe, Phil Wickham and Jake Hamilton.

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"It’s never-ending. The apostasy, the lack of discernment, the gullibility. How can anyone who proclaims the name of Jesus Christ not recognize the dismal state of the professing church? Words cannot even begin to describe how far away the church is from Christ in these days. The attractions, the concerts, the conferences. People joining hands with those teaching for shameful gain things they ought not to teach. This is not revival, but the falling away in it’s most deceptive and extreme form—a form of godliness that denies its power." —Jeff Maples

What one believes subtly finds its way into their lyrics and slowly begins to influence others. The kind of people one associates with also says something about what one believes. When false teachers, such as Paula White, are featured on your albums, it reveals a lot about you. Many of these artists are described as "Christian" or "Christian Worship," yet there is nothing Christian about them. Sadly, many of their songs have found their way into many church worship services.

CATHOLIC ARTISTS
Audrey Assad
Cimorelli
Matt Maher
Prayer Chain, The

CHARISMATIC ARTISTS
Anita Alexander
Austin & Courtney
Beckah Shae
Bruthaz Grimm
Deitrick Haddon
E-Roc[k] a.k.a Rhymes Monumental a.k.a Rockstar
God's Original Gangstaz
Gospel Gangstaz
Kirk Franklin
Papa San
Phil Wickham
Preachas In tha Hood
Str8 Young Gangstaz
T-Bone

CHARISMATIC/NAR (New Apostolic Reformation) MOVEMENTS/ARTISTS
Bethel Music (from Bethel Church lead by Bill Johnson)
Amanada Cook (nee Falk)
Brian & Jenn Johson
Cory Asbury
Hunter Thompson
Jeremy Riddle
Jonathan & Melissa Helser
Josh Baldwin
Kelley Heiligenthal
Kristene DiMarco
Leeland
Matt Stinton
Paul & Hannah McClure
Sean Feucht
Steffany Gretzinger

Elevation Worship (from Elevation Church lead by Steven Furtick)

Gateway Worship (from Gateway Church lead by Robert Morris and Jack Hayford)
David Moore
Kari Jobe
Rebecca Hart
Thomas Miller
Walker Beach
Zac Neese

Hillsong (from Hillsong Church lead by Brian Houston)
Brooke Fraser Ligertwood
Darlene Zschech
Geoff Bullock
Joel Houston
Luke Munns
Mary Sampson
Miriam Webster
Reuben Morgan
Taya Smith

IHOP Music [International House of Prayer] (lead by Mike Bickle)

Alisha Powell
Audra Lynn
Cory Asbury
Derek Loux
Jaye Thomas
Jon Thurlow
Jonas Park and David Bollmann
Julie Meyer
Justin Rizzo
Laura Hackett Park
Luke Wood
Matt Gilman
Merchant Band
Misty Edwards
Nick Syrett
Pablo Perez
Pas Neos

Jesus Culture (formed at Bethel Church)
Andrew Ehrenzeller
Bryan & Katie Torwalt
Chris McClarney
Chris Quilala
Derek Johnson
John Mark McMillan
Josh & Amberley Klinkenberg
Justin Jarvis
Kim Walker-Smith & Skyler Smith
Mary Kat Ehrenezller

Planetshakers (from Planetshakers church lead by Russell and Sam Evans)

MODALIST ARTISTS
Phillips, Craig & Dean

HOMOSEXUAL ARTISTS
Everyday Sunday (Lead Singer)
Jennifer Knapp
Ray Boltz
Tonex
Vicky Beeching

PRO-GAY MARRIAGE ARTISTS
Jars of Clay

ARTISTS WHO ASSOCIATE WITH FALSE TEACHERS
Christy Nockels
Matt Redman

"Below is a prime example of a typical response from an undiscerning individual that has no idea what she’s being fed. She simply downplays the importance of sound doctrine, and elevates the way she “feels” above all else. This is why it’s so important to expose the error in this music. It is leading many people astray." —Jeff Maples

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do." Galatians 5:16-17

Watch Out For Bandwagon Crusades

Yesterday I posted the lyrics to the song Witch Hunt by Petra. Sadly, this song is representative of a great majority of Christians, whether genuine or false converts. They are distracted by so many things that keep their eyes off of Jesus when they should only be looking unto Him continuously. There are people and groups who waste vast amounts of their time trying to find 666 in everything: the Coca-Cola insignia, the Monster energy drink symbol, etc., etc., etc. Their imagination knows no bounds. Also, like the post I made regarding the Apocrypha, there are people like John Lawton Jeffcoat III who are so focused on whether the Apocrypha should or should not be part of the Bible that they never look to Jesus. The same is likewise true of the KJV-Onlyists, who have never studied the issue themselves but continue to blindly argue points that hold absolutely no water.

The fact is, every time you turn around there is going to be another bandwagon parading around that wants people to jump on. Defending these bandwagons becomes a full-time task and takes your eyes off of Christ Jesus, where your eyes should be looking at all times. Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. That is what it is all about, and that is all that matters. Yes, there are biblical truths and moral standards that we need to uphold and defend, but not to the point where they consume all of our time, energy, blood, sweat, and tears. Look unto Jesus. He will handle everything else.

Bandwagons carry every wind of doctrine around with them. When you jump on board a particular bandwagon, you are being sidetracked from what really matters. How can you learn more about Jesus, how can you grow in Him, how can you become more like Him, if your eyes are always focused on ridiculous issues that do not have any bearing on salvation or the faith of the saints? There are primary, secondary, and tertiary issues pertaining to theology and doctrine, but there are also non-issues. The primary issues are very serious and require immediate separation from heretics, apostates, and wolves in sheep's clothing.

Whether or not someone uses the KJV is of little consequence as the Apostles never used the KJV and the Apostles never penned the KJV. The KJV was not God-breathed. It is a translation. It is only inspired in as much as it remains true to the original languages in its translation. But like all translations, it contains errors and flaws. Whether or not the Apocrypha is included in or excluded from the Bible is of little consequence as it neither adds to nor removes from Christian theology and doctrine. Historically it is agreed upon that a difference is to be made between the 66 books of the Bible and the books of the Apocrypha, regardless of whether they are retained or removed.

If you are defending an issue that demands defending, something that actually matters, if the person you are defending it against just will not listen to reason and logic, quit casting your pearls before swine. Trying to convince them of the truth and of reality can quickly become a bandwagon crusade in and of itself. Defend it for a time to a person, and if they will not be reasoned with, move on. Do not let it consume your time and your life. You have better things you can be doing, especially where your eyes are focused solely and entirely on Jesus. Look to Him in every circumstance. Let Him be your answer to everything.

The Shack: Fictional? Theological? Or Both?

Unfortunately, due to willful ignorance, many people are fond of saying (and believing), "Don't knock something until you've tried it." But that statement is completely fallacious and an utter lie! If someone tells you not to touch something because it is hot and you will get burned, you do not have to touch it in order to find out for yourself if what they are saying is true. Sadly, there are a vast number of Christians and professing "Christians" out there who say precisely that with regard to the book The Shack. They are under the fallacious and misguided impression that a person cannot say anything about it unless they have read it themselves. That belief could not be farther from the truth.

I am sorry, but there are a great number of reputable pastors, teachers, and theologians whom I trust who have read The Shack and warn of its dangers. I suggest reading Tim Challies' review or Albert Mohler's review. I also suggest you read this review. Why would I waste my time reading a piece of trash that was a waste of a tree just to print? People have attempted to compare The Shack with John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, but there is no comparison! Pilgrim's Progress is allegory based entirely upon Scripture, whereas The Shack is completely void of Scripture and contrary to Scripture and Christian doctrine. The ideas it promotes are all heretical.

Blind "Christians" attempt to argue that The Shack is merely fiction, but yet at the same time claim that it helped to heal them and make them better acquainted with God. The book may be fiction, but fiction can still present doctrinal beliefs and other errors as if they were legitimate facts. If an author writes a book wherein science supports a flat Earth, the book may be fiction but it is attempting to convey erroneous information that still has an effect upon its readers. Do not be ignorant! The book may have helped millions become better acquainted with a god, but certainly not the God of the Scriptures!

Michael Youssef identified 13 heresies contained within the pages of The Shack, which make the book not simply a work of fiction. Here are those 13 heresies:

1. God the Father was crucified with Jesus.
2. God is limited by His love and cannot practice justice.
3. On the cross, God forgave all of humanity, whether they repent or not. Some choose a relationship with Him, but He forgives them all regardless.
4. Hierarchical structures, whether they are in the church or in the government, are evil.
5. God will never judge people for their sins.
6. There is not a hierarchical structure in the Godhead, just a circle of unity.
7. God submits to human wishes and choices.
8. Justice will never take place because of love.
9. There is no such thing as eternal judgment or torment in hell.
10. Jesus is walking with all people in their different journeys to God, and it doesn’t matter which way you get to Him.
11. Jesus is constantly being transformed along with us.
12. There is no need for faith or reconciliation with God because everyone will make it to heaven.
13. The Bible is not true because it reduces God to paper.

I recommend that you read the apologetic book Burning Down the Shack written by James B. De Young, who is well-acquainted with and was a close associate of William Paul Young. The two worked side-by-side at one point and so De Young can offer some insights into the mind of Young and his universalism.

The fact is, The Shack is not a Christian book, fictional or otherwise! It is a work of heresy that has lead a great many undiscerning individuals into a ditch of doctrinal errors and false belief. The god it has drawn people closer to certain is not the God of the Christian Bible! The Shack has drawn a great many undiscerning individuals into idolatry, worshiping a god that suits their own imaginations, created in their own images. Christian, read your Bible! Quit reading worthless trash that presents a false image of the God of Scripture! Like Charles Spurgeon said, many of you "Christians" have enough dust on the cover of your Bible(s) that you could write "Damnation" upon it/them. You claim to be a Christian and to love Jesus, yet you never read His Word and dwell upon it, letting it permeate within you and change you more and more into the image of Christ Jesus.

Christian, do not waste your money by spending it to see The Shack in the movie theatres, or by buying it when it comes to BluRay and DVD. Do not give your money to support error and heresy. If you want to put your money to good use, purchase the four (4) word-for-word live-action film adaptations of the Gospels put out by the Lumo Project: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Witch Hunt [Song]

from the 1984 album Beat the System by Petra

Everybody look there's a new bandwagon in town
Hop on board and let the wind carry you around
Seems like there's not enough to keep us busy till the Lord comes back
Don Quixote's gotta have another windmill to attack

Another Witch Hunt
Looking for evil wherever we can find it
Off on a tangent, hope the Lord won't mind it
Another Witch Hunt
Takin' a break from all our gospel labor
On a crusade but we forgot our saber

There's a new way to spend all our energies
We're up in arms instead of down on our knees
Walkin' over dollars trying to find another dime
Never mind the souls 'cause we really haven't got the time

Another Witch Hunt
Looking for evil wherever we can find it
Off on a tangent, hope the Lord won't mind it
Another Witch Hunt
Takin' a break from all our gospel labor
On a crusade but we forgot our saber

So send out the dogs and tally ho
Before we sleep tonight we've got miles to go
No one is safe, no stones left unturned
And we won't stop until somebody gets burned
Bro-bro-bro-bro-bro-bro-brothers

Another Witch Hunt
Looking for evil wherever we can find it
Off on a tangent, hope the Lord won't mind it
Another Witch Hunt
Takin' a break from all our gospel labor
On a crusade but we forgot our saber

(1 Timothy 4:7, Titus 3:9)

Woe To You, Church!

It is a pretty scathing commentary on visible churches, who are supposed to be salt and light to a lost and dying world, when they deny and reject the Word of God and accept and support the sin of homosexuality. Why not accept and support the sin of adultery, too? God's Word condemns it as well. It also condemns bestiality, child sacrifice, etc.

Homosexuality is a behaviour. It is an act. It is a choice. All it takes is one act of murder for someone to be a murderer; one act of rape for someone to be a rapist; one act of theft for someone to be a thief; one act of lying for someone to be a liar. Likewise, it takes one act of homosexuality for someone to be a homosexual. Homosexuality is not an identity. Otherwise adultery, murder, rape, theft, lying, bestiality, pedophilia, etc., would have to be an identity as well. The truth behind homosexuality is that these individuals have strong and/or frequent thoughts and temptations of homosexuality, but rather than fight them, they convince themselves that because of these strong and/or frequent thoughts and temptations, it must mean that they were born this way and that this is who they are. By that logic, then the person who has strong and/or frequent thoughts of adultery must have been born that way and that that is who they are and therefore they should just embrace it and shout it out loud and proud, "I'm an adulterer!" They could even start having Adultery Parades to celebrate it. The same goes for murder, rape, theft, lying, bestiality, pedophilia, etc., etc., etc.

The visible church starting to accept and support homosexuality is not a sign of "enlightenment"; it is a sign of judgment and condemnation; that the Spirit of God does not reside within that church. If you were to attend such a church, no doubt you could feel the cold emptiness, that the Spirit has left them a long time ago. Homosexuality is not a worse sin than any other sin, but it is a sin nonetheless. Visible churches that deny, put aside, or reject what God's Word has to say are no churches at all and will be judged by Christ Jesus on judgment day. They think themselves alive when in fact they are really dead.

Woe to you, Church, who has rejected the inerrant, infallible, authoritative Word of God, and embraced the open practice and acceptance of the sin of homosexuality and transgenderism! May God have mercy on you when Christ Jesus returns to judge the world in sin and in righteousness.

"Have you not read, that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female?" (Matt. 19:4; Mark 10:6)

"You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination." (Lev. 18:22)

"If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltiness is upon them." (Lev. 20:13)

"For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error." (Rom. 1:26-27)

"We know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God." (1 Tim. 1:8-11)

"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God." (1 Cor. 6:9-10)

Canonical vs. Apocryphal

John Lawton Jeffcoat III, the director of GreatSite.com, argues, "The Apocrypha was removed from Protestant and Anglican publications of the Bible in the 1880's due to the influence of textual critics Westcott and Hort, with the advent of the 'Revised Version' of 1881-1885... the first widely-accepted modern English Bible to be published after the King James Version. Are you going to base your theology upon the idea the NEW revelation about which books should be in the Bible came down from God in the 1800's?"

John's argument is completely fallacious, and when I challenged him to present an actual case that would strengthen his argument, he got all pouty and started throwing a temper tantrum. He argues that the Apocrypha was removed in the 1880s, arguing, "NOBODY had the God-given authority to remove it 125 years ago. No satisfying justification for its removal was ever given by anyone." But he fails to grasp the fact that nobody had the God-given authority to include it for 2,000 years either! In fact, everything he spews forth regarding the 1880s simply does not match up with historical evidence. The Belgic Confession, written in 1561 (over 300 years prior to the 1880s), had this to say in Article 6:

Article 6: The Difference Between Canonical and Apocryphal Books

We distinguish between these holy books and the apocryphal ones, which are the third and fourth books of Esdras; the books of Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Jesus Sirach, Baruch; what was added to the Story of Esther; the Song of the Three Children in the Furnace; the Story of Susannah; the Story of Bel and the Dragon; the Prayer of Manasseh; and the two books of Maccabees.

The church may certainly read these books and learn from them as far as they agree with the canonical books. But they do not have such power and virtue that one could confirm from their testimony any point of faith or of the Christian religion. Much less can they detract from the authority of the other holy books.

Furthermore, The British Delegation and the Synod of Dort (1618-1619), edited by Anthony Milton, page 137, had this to say:

He added that the reasons urged to the contrary were of little force, & that there was no reason ut erranti antiguitati suffragentur posteri [antiquity going to favor the future]. Deodatus¹⁰⁹ who had required time of deliberation now answered that of those bookes a difference must be made. Some of them having allmost nothing but fables & errors with little or no profitable matter; such he thought all but lib. Sap. Eccles. Baruch: & 1 um Machab, which onely he wold have preserved, the rest rejected.
To conclude that sentence by plurality of voices was established that they should still be retained, but placed after the New Testament.<sup>110

109. Ward notes that in additon to Deodati, the Hessian delegate Georg Cruciger (1575-1637), professor in logic at Marburg, also favoured removing some of the Apocrypha (ibid.).
110. The Acta, p. 24, contain a reasonable full account of this final agreement. It was emphasized that, while it might have been preferred that the Apocrypha had never been joined to the canonical books, they were to be retained, but only on condition that they be distinguished from canonical books by a different title to show that they are of human origin; that they be preceded by a preface in which their authority and errors are explained to readers; that a further type be used for marginal annotations that would note all the points which the papists used from them to oppose the truth of the canonical books; that they be distinguished by different pagination; and that although historically they have been placed between the Old and New Testament, yet to ensure that the people can learn to distinguish them more effectively from the canonical scriptures, the Dutch churches had not decided to remove them to the end of the New Testament.</sup>

John claims, "We are not arguing that the Apocrypha is definitively the inspired Word of God. We are merely arguing that the Apocrypha has been part of 'The Bible' for TWO THOUSAND YEARS." And his point is... exactly? There was no God-given authority to include it in the first place, nor was there any God-given authority to remove it. If Christians want the Apocrypha as part of their Bible, that is up to them. If they want the Apocrypha in a separate book from the Bible, that is also up to them. If they do not want the Apocrypha at all, again, that is up to them. Some of the Apocryphal books are goofy and ridiculous, but some are historical, albeit not entirely accurate and definitely not inspired.

I would really like to know where John gets the idea of theology based on which books are or are not included or excluded: "Are you going to base your theology upon the idea the NEW revelation about which books should be in the Bible came down from God in the 1800's?" There is absolutely no theology connected to whether the Apocrypha are included in the Bible or excluded from the Bible. Apparently John has a poor understanding of precisely what theology is. The inclusion or exclusion of the Apocrypha has no barring on Christian theology whatsoever because it has nothing to offer in the way of theology. So why does John make such a huge fuss over whether or not the Apocrypha is included? Such insistence marks him as someone belonging to some kind of cult, like the KJV-Onlyists.

Transsexualism/Transgenderism

Another moral shift is taking place in our society, where people refuse to call things by their proper names (demonstrative of the fact they lack wisdom), bowing down to mental health issues rather than getting these people the psychological help they so desperately need. First it was homosexuality. Now it is transexualism/transgenderism (which is just a different form of homosexuality). If you follow the news at all, soon it will be bestiality/zoophilia and pedophilia. Where do we draw the line?

"Have you not read, that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female?" (Matt. 19:4; Mark 10:6)

There are only two genders, two sexes: male and female! Nothing more. Not 3. Not 4. Not 12. Not 50. Not 70, as appears on FaceBook. Two! Male and Female!

We must respect biological/inherent identity; not mental defects and sexual reconstructions! Identity is the sameness in all that constitutes the objective reality of a thing. If you were born with a penis, you are a boy, and your parents (if they love you) and society must treat you accordingly, correcting you if you start erroneously thinking that you are a female. If you were born with a vagina, you are a girl, and your parents (if they love you) and society must treat you accordingly, correcting you if you start erroneously thinking that you are a male. Society needs to quit attacking our children and attempting to confuse them from a young age.

Bruce Jenner is a male; he can have all the plastic surgery he wants in order to try and look like a woman but he will always remain a man; and he can desire to be called Caitlyn all he wants, but his name will still be Bruce. His identity is and will forever be that of a male. It does not matter what he "feels like" inside. Just because you feel like a balloon trapped in a man's/woman's body does not make you a balloon. Wanting to be identified as a balloon just demonstrates that you should be committed and receive proper psychological help. Identity is what you are; not what you want to be or what you think you are.

Lazy parents need to get off their derrières and start teaching their children right from wrong again, correcting their children with the truth. Our society has gotten so lazy that instead of taking a stand and doing something about it, we merely voice our opinions while sitting on the sidelines. The entire country of Peru had it right Saturday of last week. All over the country, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets to protest against gender ideology being introduced into their schools and corrupting their children. At least in some parts of the world, humanity still has some brains left. In North America and Europe, we have pretty much thrown intelligence out the window and bow before mental nonsense.

Transexualism/transgenderism is only a part of a greater disease plaguing our society. Yes, we need to love these people and show them grace, but we do not accept their behaviour under any circumstances, just as we do not accept the behaviour of homosexuals under any circumstances. These people need help. Stop being brainwashed and emotionally manipulated, people! These situations have nothing to do with "love." The argument that "they should be able to love whomever they want" is erroneous, fallacious, and flawed. That same argument is now being peddled by pedophiles, and people are starting to do with them as they have done with homosexuals. There is no truth to that statement, otherwise polygamy would be legal, as would incest of every variety. "Love" has nothing to do with it. They want to lust after whomever they want.

Our society quickly needs a reform, because we are headed down a dangerous road from which there is no return. Justice will be meted out one way or another. If not by another country conquering us, as has repeated been the case throughout history, then by the swift return of the Lord Jesus to judge the world in sin and righteousness. We need God back in our countries again. We need a foundation of morality again; of right and wrong again. Everything we see taking place in our society right now is just a small sample of God's judgment being poured out upon us.

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them." (Romans 1:18-32)

5 Ways Christians Should Judge

by Julie Roys

It happened when I posted something to social media lamenting author Jen Hatmaker’s disastrous decision to affirm gay unions. It happened again when I criticized a Saturday Night Live writer for attacking Barron Trump, the 10-year-old son of the president. Truth is, it happens anytime I make a judgment about anything or anyone.

“Christians are not to pass judgments, only state the truths,” one person commented.

“Christ taught us to LOVE EVERYONE. Judgments are for our father in heaven, not us,” said another.

And ironically, someone even stated, “You obviously are not a Christian because Jesus told us not to judge.”

In some ways, these statements reflect the ethic of our culture. Judging is wrong – except when it’s not. (Apparently, it’s wrong to judge someone’s sexual behavior, for example, but perfectly legitimate to judge someone for wearing fur or emitting too much carbon.) Yet, we judge all the time. (How could anyone hire a babysitter without judging?)

As David S. Oderberg, professor of philosophy at University of Reading, wrote, “We in the liberal, democratic West live in a society with a split personality, deriving from our own individual dissociative traits. . . . We do not want to appear (or even to be) judgmental, but we also know that we do judge our fellows continuously, and believe this is often justified.”

As Christians, we take our cues from Scripture, not culture. But even Scripture appears to give conflicting messages about judging. In Matthew 7:1, Jesus says, “Do not judge,” but in 1 Corinthians 6:2-3, the apostle Paul says, “(T)he Lord’s people will judge the world. . . How much more the things of this life!”

So what gives? Are Christians supposed to judge or not judge? And just what is the Christian standard?

Continue reading...

Same Love (A Response) [Song]

a single from Bizzle

[Intro]
But understand this, that in the last days
There will come times of difficulty
For people will be lovers of self
Lovers of money, proud, arrogant
Abusive, disobedient to their parents
Ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable
Slanderous, without self-control, brutal
Not loving good, treacherous, reckless
Swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God
Having the appearance of godliness
But denying its power
Woe to he who calls evil good and good evil

[Verse]
It's funny how the media portrays things
They really pushing hard for this gay thing
And it's so wicked how they manipulate things
Can't even disagree without them making it a hate thing
I say you wrong, and you holla "hate" instantly
But you say we the ones who don't tolerate differences
There's a whole lot of things I could say really
But, see your hypocrisy is something I could paint vividly
Saying it's the way you was born
And I'm sure, that you lust just like I do, just in a different form
But I'm married, so if I give into mine, I'm a cheater
If you give into yours, you just fight to make it legal
You rather fight God, then fight sin
The Bible is alright, until it calls what you like sin
And I feel so disrespected that you were so desperate
You would compare your sexual habits to my skin
Calling it the new black?
Tell me where they do that?
They hung us like tree ornaments, where were you at?
They burned us for entertainment, you go through that?
Mom's raped in front of they kids, while they shoot dad
Ever been murdered just for trying to learn how to read bro?
Show of hands?
I ain't think so
So quit comparing the two, it ain't the same fight
You can play straight, we can never play white
Using black people as pawns for yo' agenda
And these sell out rappers will do whatever you tell 'em
Skirts on stages, campaigning for that black vote
Afraid to be blackballed, so they play that role
You were never oppressed, the devil was a liar
The only thing oppressed was yo' sexual desire
Keeping yo' desires oppressed is so lame to you
But when you get married, that's what you expect yo' mate to do
It angers you if I compare you to a pedophile
Cause he sick, right?
And you're better how?
(Man, I ain't choose this)
You think he chose that?
(But I was born this)
Well prove he wasn't born that
But you were never a girl
He was once nine, so at one time in his life it was just fine
What makes your laws right?
I'm not buying it
So put 'em in that same trash can you threw that Bible in
See how that cycle is?
Nobody wants to repent of they evil
So we all try justifying it
And you say it's about rights, but you lying though
Domestic partnerships gave you rights a long time ago
God created marriage, when he did, he defined it though
So why is it you want what He created, but deny Him though?
It's not wicked enough, switching the definition?
You want it done by a Christian in a church he worships in?
And that rainbow you using as a gay pride symbol?
It represents a covenant with God, if you didn't know
Check Genesis 9:13 for the info
Homie, the war is spiritual, you don't know what you in for
I ain't sayin' yo' sin's worse, but it is sin though
The Lord took the punishment for it all on Him though
We just gotta repent though
The problem is if you don't call it sin
Then you walk as if there's nothing to repent for
Let's recap:
We all wicked and desire sin
But imagine a world where no one kept there desires in
If something was called right, simply cause we desired it
When yo' right goes against my right, who's right would win
As for being born that way
I should never see y'all
Ever see use a word like retard
To describe someone who was born a little differently than we are
I guess down syndrome really isn't a thing y'all
What do we call yo' syndrome?
Oh, that term is offensive now when it hits home?
So what gives you the right to call the way he was born a defect?
I call yours a defect, you feel it's disrespect
You don't believe in God?
Hey, the universe says if we all gay
We either die off or have to do it God's way
And God loves you no matter what you struggle with
At least struggle though, don't just give up and quit
Forget how you were born
We were all born in sin
But Christ died for your sin
You can be born again
We were all born in sin
But Christ died so that we can be born again

[Outro]
And I never want to act like
All gay people are the same because that's ignorant
But at the same time
What I won't allow you to do
Is paint this beautiful picture
Like we don't have people from the LGBT community out here
Running up in churches, disrupting services
Kissing on the pulpit
Out here attacking old ladies
Throwing crosses down and stomping em'
Violently assaulting people
So don't take my most aggressive lines that you know are to that group
And try to apply it to the friendliest
Lovingest gay person because that's not the case
And to that struggling Christian right now
Struggling with homosexuality
Fight the good fight soldier
No matter what anybody says
We all have different desires
We all are drawn toward different sin
And my desire might not be your desire
But I have a desire that's just as strong for another sin
And I have to fight it day in and day out
And sometimes I win and sometimes I lose
Sometimes I stand and sometimes I fall
But fight the good fight
God is worth it
God bless you
No hate about it
I love you